The fact that I am moving to China remains a sort of shimery
image. I can see it, and look at it sparkle, but I cannot grasp it. Fortunately, because I leave in 3 weeks, the fact is becoming slightly more concrete. I have visited numerous doctors and been poked in numerous places. I have registered with the embassay and will soon buy a plane ticket to New York. My penpal in Hangzhou has offered to meet me at the airport (which is amazing). I am reading all my predeparture information. And now I am starting to realize what is happening. And the scary thing is, I'm ok with it.

When I was little, my parents told me "be good or we'll
send you to China!"

Well, I am sending myself to China and I think it will be good. I often wonder how I, as a White person from Minnesota, became basically a China studies major, and I really can't say for sure. Although I think it goes back to me not playing the piano in third grade:) However it happened, I can say that I am almost ready for it to happen. Above is a pagoda in Hangzhou.